How to import from China to the USA

Step 1: Vet your supplier and agree terms

Start by confirming your supplier is a legitimate manufacturer or trading company — check business licences, ask for references, and consider a pre-shipment inspection before you pay the balance. Then agree your Incoterm: many first-time importers buy FOB (supplier delivers to the origin port, you control the main carriage), which gives you better freight pricing through your own forwarder. Our Incoterms 2020 guide explains the trade-offs.

Step 2: Classify your goods and check the duty

Every product has an HTS code that sets its US duty rate. Getting this right is essential — misclassification means delays or penalties. On top of standard duty, many Chinese-origin goods carry additional Section 301 tariffs, so check both. Crucially, since 29 August 2025 the US has ended the $800 de minimis exemption, so even low-value parcels now face a customs entry and duty — read our guide on the end of de minimis. Use our Import Tax & Duties page to understand how the duty is calculated.

Step 3: Choose air or ocean freight

For most commercial volumes, ocean freight is the economical choice — full container (FCL) or shared (LCL) depending on volume (see FCL vs LCL). Air freight costs more but suits urgent, high-value or low-weight goods. Transit from China to the US is roughly 18–35 days by ocean depending on coast, versus a few days by air. Budget on a fully landed basis — our landed cost guide shows how.

Step 4: Handle US customs correctly

For ocean shipments you must file an Importer Security Filing (ISF, the '10+2' rule) at least 24 hours before the cargo is loaded in China, or face penalties. You'll also need a customs bond to clear formal entries, and an accurate commercial invoice and packing list. Most importers use a licensed customs broker to file the entry and pay duty — a good forwarder coordinates all of this for you.

Step 5: Clear, deliver and review

Once duty and any tariffs are paid and the entry is released, your goods move to last-mile delivery. After arrival, review what the shipment actually cost against your estimate — including any demurrage or detention — and refine your pricing. Each shipment teaches you something; capturing it keeps the next one sharper.

How Baobab makes China–US importing simple

We handle the whole chain — supplier collection, ocean or air carriage, ISF and customs entry, duty and tariff calculation, and final delivery — through one coordinator and a vetted partner network. Tell us what you're importing and we'll quote it landed, usually within four hours.